Lotus F1 Team owner announces RUF partnership
Posted 14th February, 2013 in Porsche | Leave a comment
Genii Capital, the owner of the Lotus F1 Team, has become a shareholder and strategic partnership of the tuning specialist, Pfaffenhausen-based RUF Automobile GmbH.
Founding partner of Genii Capital Gerard Lopez, who has been installed as the non-executive chairman of the board, said: “RUF is a fantastic brand with a loyal customer base and a global brand name. Today the brand is also connected to younger generations through its appearance in number one selling driver computer games, opening the potential to new buyers across the world.”
Well known for such models as the narrow-bodied, lightweight 469 hp (350 kW CTR Yellowbird and 559 kW (750 hp) CTR 3, RUF is a manufacturer in its own right, Lopez hinted that the company will be débuting a production version of its V8 conversion at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Previously seen in the RGT-8 prototype, the RUF-designed lightweight 4.5-litre 90° 8-cylinder engine develops 410 kW (550 bhp) and 500 Nm of torque.
“It will soon be 50 years since I started to share my vision on a truly unique platform in automotive history; the Porsche 911. I see a very exciting future in which we will be assisted by Gerard Lopez. I have been proud to see Gerard grow from an RUF-fascinated kid into a client – and first of all a friend – over more than 20 years and am very much looking forward to having him as a partner in RUF Automobile GmbH.” said Alois Ruf.
[Source: Lotus]
